Portret van een staande vrouw bij een kaptafel 1854 - 1865

This hand-colored photograph depicts a woman standing beside a dressing table, and was created by Maull & Polyblank. Produced in England, perhaps in the 1850s or 60s, this image reflects the rise of photography as a tool for self-representation among the middle classes. The woman's pose and attire speak to Victorian ideals of modesty and domesticity. Yet, the presence of the dressing table also hints at the growing importance of personal appearance and consumer culture. In a society marked by rigid social hierarchies, photography offered a new means for individuals to assert their identity and status. The very act of commissioning a portrait suggests a desire to participate in this visual economy. How does this image conform to or challenge prevailing notions of gender and class? What does it tell us about the sitter's aspirations and self-perception? By examining photographic archives and social histories, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between art, identity, and social change in the Victorian era.